What the alleged Powerpuff script tells us about The CW adaptation

Whether you’re sat back in your chair eating popcorn as the internet implodes yet again over Powerpuff, the CW adaptation of the classic Powerpuff Girls cartoon, or shaking your head in disbelief at the pilot script for the series that’s supposedly leaked online, I’m here for you. Or rather, here to speculate, of course.

Powerpuff is the polarizing live-action series putting Blossom (Chloe Bennet), Bubbles (Dove Cameron), and Buttercup (Yana Perrault) back on the small screen, this time as jaded twenty-somethings. It’s a recipe not for nostalgia but instant ire from fans of the original cartoon who’d like it to keep its innocence.

Judging by the alleged leaked pages, writers Diablo Cody and Heather Regnier have no interest in letting audiences get adjusted to seeing these previously school aged heroines as women. It’s a full tilt launch into the adult world with the girls having sex, drinking, and using crass language.

The dialogue is stylized with the kind of irreverent sheen The CW isn’t a stranger to, but it’s definitely jarring considering who these characters are supposed to be. But, backing out of the sheer question mark-inducing lines being said, there are pieces of the script pages that have caught our attention.

Buttercup, at least according to this unconfirmed pilot script, is sapphic in Powerpuff. It’s unclear if she’s a lesbian or bi/pan, but the person she brings home from a bar is a woman named Macy. She had been scoping out “bi-curious townies” presumably in a script page that came before Blossom walking in on her and Macy after going six rounds together.

She’s out to her sisters by evidence of her flippant dialogue to both Bubbles and Blossom concerning her sexuality, and it doesn’t seem to be a big deal as she has no problem talking to them about it. At least, that’s what I’ve been able to glean from the two pages of the alleged script I’ve seen.

The Hollywood Reporter has stated there’s a part in the script where Blossom threatens to leak Buttercup’s nudes which is hard to wrap my head around considering who Blossom is. Just how strained can their relationship be if she thinks that’s a viable solution to a problem and not revenge porn against her own sister?

Thank goodness, they’re going to be reworking this pilot script, though it’s understandable why some OG fans are calling for the whole series to be dropped as a concept. Still, I’m one of those fans who isn’t willing to drop the idea of this show entirely.

Mark Pedowitz, the CEO and Chairman of The CW, had this to say about the Powerpuff pilot:

"“The reason we do pilots is, sometimes things miss. We believe in the cast and in [writers Diablo Cody and Heather Regnier] and [executive producer Greg Berlanti] and studio Warner Bros. In this case, the pilot didn’t work. Because we see enough elements in there, we wanted to give it another shot. It may have felt a little too campy and not rooted in reality. You learn things when you test things out. We felt, ‘Let’s take a step back and go back to the drawing board.’ This is a powerful property, it engaged a lot of interest, and we want to get it right.”"

I hope they can get it right or at least in good enough shape to have a promising first season, even if it fumbles along the way. I want to see the live-action version of these characters.

The script peaked my interest with the idea that the girls have grown up, they’re not squeaky clean five year olds anymore. While I’m not of the mind that that needs to include revenge porn plot points, I do think a story about former child superheroes navigating the world as adults when people remember them for their childhood exploits could be interesting.

I also want to see the Rowdyruff Boys all grown-up. There’s an implication that Butch either owns a bar or works at one while holding a deep-seated dislike for Bubbles but perhaps not Buttercup.

Also, for those not in the know, the Drake who Blossom is avoiding is Professor Utonium. I definitely want to know why she’s avoiding him. For what reason? I need answers. Granted, the pilot is being reworked, so if these are script pages, most of it could get tossed, but I’m interested nonetheless.

Look, I’m not expecting a masterpiece. I’m expecting to be entertained and this live-action Powerpuff Girls iteration could be just that if they pulled back a bit and focused on a story worth telling. I mean how many superhero shows can you list that basically have the child star turned jaded adult narrative sitting right there ready to be consumed?

I’m invested and at least willing to give Powerpuff a chance. What about y’all? Let us know in the comments below!